You really should be able to open those things from the inside. All modern cars have an escape latch in the trunk. There's no reason mailboxes don't have a similar latch to protect children put inside them.

Subby:"Using a flat rate box from the USPS would have been cheaper, and might have actually made it to its destination, but sopping wet, reeking of cigarette smoke, and folded over on itself seven times so it could be jammed into the mailbox to avoid a 15 second trip up the driveway"

Missed a bit, Subby. Damned character limit must've gotten you.

/or is this just my local mail carrier muppet//no kidding, on the rare item that doesn't fit in my mailbox if folded or snapped, I've actually seen them drive up the driveway, and then *throw* it at my carport rather than get out of their car and walk ten steps to my door///yes, UPS, FedEx, and DHL cock up occasionally, but they're seldom malicious////Airborne Express is the worst. Had a problem with them regularly leaving packages or preprepared "sorry we missed you" notes outside the door without knocking or ringing the bell; caught it once when it happened (I was within four feet of the door; the blinds were closed so he couldn't see me) and I called to let the supervisor know (with the vehicle reg and time he arrived as proof I'd been at home). The driver came straight back, rang the doorbell, and told me he was going to intentionally break every package that was delivered to my address from then on. You can be damned sure the supervisor heard that, too. Never used them since, never will again.

gweilo8888:Subby: "Using a flat rate box from the USPS would have been cheaper, and might have actually made it to its destination, but sopping wet, reeking of cigarette smoke, and folded over on itself seven times so it could be jammed into the mailbox to avoid a 15 second trip up the driveway"

Missed a bit, Subby. Damned character limit must've gotten you.

/or is this just my local mail carrier muppet The driver came straight back, rang the doorbell, and told me he was going to intentionally break every package that was delivered to my address from then on. You can be damned sure the supervisor heard that, too. Never used them since, never will again.

Yes, it's your local carrier. Report the farker to the Inspector General. I've got an 'on foot' carrier and he couldn't be a nicer person; the only confusion we've had was when he went on vacation and the sub came 3 hours earlier, only since I didn't know that, I didn't have my ebay stuff ready for her in time. Once I got that straightened out, everything was fine - she even gave me her cell # to text when I had shipments going out. The one day I had a large box and the regular guy forgot to come back for it (again, 'on foot = larger heavy boxes, not something I'd wish them to carry far), he apologized profusely the next day when I ran into him.

My next door neighbor is a retired Postmaster and he's also very nice and has talked to me a few times about how the USPS runs things.

If you carrier is an ass, REPORT HIM. They want to know this, trust me.

ladyfortuna:If you carrier is an ass, REPORT HIM. They want to know this, trust me.

Don't know about the Inspector General, but I've reported them to the local USPS office a few times for various things (including that ol' fill out a "sorry we missed you, come to the post office to get your package" and leave it in the mailbox without ever coming up the driveway to see if anybody's home trick; USPS likes that one too.)

Nothing changes, other than my fear of them intentionally breaking a package. If I call foul they'll send them back with the package they pretended to deliver, but that's all. And it's not just one carrier, it's about four different ones. Chainsmokey's the most common visitor though.

gweilo8888:ladyfortuna: If you carrier is an ass, REPORT HIM. They want to know this, trust me.

Don't know about the Inspector General, but I've reported them to the local USPS office a few times for various things (including that ol' fill out a "sorry we missed you, come to the post office to get your package" and leave it in the mailbox without ever coming up the driveway to see if anybody's home trick; USPS likes that one too.)

Nothing changes, other than my fear of them intentionally breaking a package. If I call foul they'll send them back with the package they pretended to deliver, but that's all. And it's not just one carrier, it's about four different ones. Chainsmokey's the most common visitor though.

Which is WHY you need to go right to the Inspector General. The local office isn't going to want to admit they have a problem employee because it reflects badly on them. Go above their heads.

AverageAmericanGuy:You really should be able to open those things from the inside. All modern cars have an escape latch in the trunk. There's no reason mailboxes don't have a similar latch to protect children put inside them.

This has got to be the stupidest thing I've read on Fark in ages. Tell me, Numbnuts, what the hell would be the point in shoving a kid in the mailbox if he could just...

batcookie:Which is WHY you need to go right to the Inspector General. The local office isn't going to want to admit they have a problem employee because it reflects badly on them. Go above their heads.

Thanks for the advice. I'll certainly think on it; they need a way to anonymously report, because frankly it strikes me I'm more likely to get my mail "lost" or deliberately broken than anything else, complaining about them.

gweilo8888:batcookie: Which is WHY you need to go right to the Inspector General. The local office isn't going to want to admit they have a problem employee because it reflects badly on them. Go above their heads.

Thanks for the advice. I'll certainly think on it; they need a way to anonymously report, because frankly it strikes me I'm more likely to get my mail "lost" or deliberately broken than anything else, complaining about them.

That's what I get for living in the sticks...

I live in a small town; not the sticks, but close enough. I have however built a good relationship with the counter clerks at the PO as well. I have pretty much no fear of retaliation even if I do move further out (as I used to live) because of this. It probably wouldn't hurt to go into the PO occasionally, even if you have to sacrifice a lunch break or go on Saturday or whatever. That way if anything further does happen you should have a few allies. In the end though, I am actually fairly certain that a direct complaint to the IG through the internet reporting feature is anonymous. I could be wrong about that, but that was the impression I got the one time I *almost* used it. Ended up skipping it because what I was reporting actually happened to my MIL and they've now ended counter service at that smaller rural office, so it didn't really matter in the long run. If it was my main center though I'd be raising hell.

ParagonComplex:I worked at FedEx for a few years. I'd hear horror stories from people who worked at UPS. They treat their packages terribly. If this kid got shipped he would've arrived decomposing.

Ok, I'll bite..

First off... don't ship packages in recycled cardboard..that stuff is frail as shiat...and don't use old boxes..every time a box is shipped, it loses 50% of its crush weight..which is that # in that little circle on the bottom of every cardboard box. The best way to ship something is to double box it..with packing around the inner box. The employees at hubs are not the best at protecting your stuff... but the people at the local level do a good job. 90% of damages I see are from crappy packing...the rest are mostly 70LB+ packages...your best best is to use a new box and pack carefully.

Second... Your UPS driver doesn't want to go back to your house a second day..he wants to deliver that shiat so he doesn't have it the next day..that just adds another package for them the next day..don't call and tell me he didn't ring your doorbell when you have a dog in the yard, or you didn't hear the horn, or your AC/TV was up too loud

and last..the USPS HATES delivering anything over 20lbs..so don't expect them to go out of their way to deliver your shiat..they don't carry dolleys

pinktaco4lunch:ParagonComplex:.don't call and tell me he didn't ring your doorbell when you have a dog in the yard, or you didn't hear the horn, or your AC/TV was up too loud

and last..the USPS HATES delivering anything over 20lbs..so don't expect them to go out of their way to deliver your shiat..they don't carry dolleys

When we lived with the inlaws, the rural UPS carrier was apparently terrified of the dogs. He even tried throwing them treats one day, which they completely ignored and continued their barking campaign. I felt bad about it, but if he'd just gotten out once or twice to come 'meet' them, it probably would have been fine... not my dogs though in the long run, so... yeah. Not a lot I could do about it.

I've never had a problem with USPS and weight although I'm also not sure I've had them deliver anything more than 10#. Still, my locals are great. As said before, if yours aren't, report their asses.

gweilo8888:Subby: "Using a flat rate box from the USPS would have been cheaper, and might have actually made it to its destination, but sopping wet, reeking of cigarette smoke, and folded over on itself seven times so it could be jammed into the mailbox to avoid a 15 second trip up the driveway"

Missed a bit, Subby. Damned character limit must've gotten you.

/or is this just my local mail carrier muppet//no kidding, on the rare item that doesn't fit in my mailbox if folded or snapped, I've actually seen them drive up the driveway, and then *throw* it at my carport rather than get out of their car and walk ten steps to my door///yes, UPS, FedEx, and DHL cock up occasionally, but they're seldom malicious////Airborne Express is the worst. Had a problem with them regularly leaving packages or preprepared "sorry we missed you" notes outside the door without knocking or ringing the bell; caught it once when it happened (I was within four feet of the door; the blinds were closed so he couldn't see me) and I called to let the supervisor know (with the vehicle reg and time he arrived as proof I'd been at home). The driver came straight back, rang the doorbell, and told me he was going to intentionally break every package that was delivered to my address from then on. You can be damned sure the supervisor heard that, too. Never used them since, never will again.

Not just yours.Up until a couple of years ago my USPS carrier was one of the worst. Now my regular carrier lady is great, but the fat lazy subs suck long and large.

ladyfortuna:pinktaco4lunch: ParagonComplex:.don't call and tell me he didn't ring your doorbell when you have a dog in the yard, or you didn't hear the horn, or your AC/TV was up too loud

and last..the USPS HATES delivering anything over 20lbs..so don't expect them to go out of their way to deliver your shiat..they don't carry dolleys

When we lived with the inlaws, the rural UPS carrier was apparently terrified of the dogs. He even tried throwing them treats one day, which they completely ignored and continued their barking campaign. I felt bad about it, but if he'd just gotten out once or twice to come 'meet' them, it probably would have been fine... not my dogs though in the long run, so... yeah. Not a lot I could do about it.

I've never had a problem with USPS and weight although I'm also not sure I've had them deliver anything more than 10#. Still, my locals are great. As said before, if yours aren't, report their asses.

gweilo8888:Subby: "Using a flat rate box from the USPS would have been cheaper, and might have actually made it to its destination, but sopping wet, reeking of cigarette smoke, and folded over on itself seven times so it could be jammed into the mailbox to avoid a 15 second trip up the driveway"

Missed a bit, Subby. Damned character limit must've gotten you.

/or is this just my local mail carrier muppet//no kidding, on the rare item that doesn't fit in my mailbox if folded or snapped, I've actually seen them drive up the driveway, and then *throw* it at my carport rather than get out of their car and walk ten steps to my door///yes, UPS, FedEx, and DHL cock up occasionally, but they're seldom malicious////Airborne Express is the worst. Had a problem with them regularly leaving packages or preprepared "sorry we missed you" notes outside the door without knocking or ringing the bell; caught it once when it happened (I was within four feet of the door; the blinds were closed so he couldn't see me) and I called to let the supervisor know (with the vehicle reg and time he arrived as proof I'd been at home). The driver came straight back, rang the doorbell, and told me he was going to intentionally break every package that was delivered to my address from then on. You can be damned sure the supervisor heard that, too. Never used them since, never will again.

ladyfortuna:If you carrier is an ass, REPORT HIM. They want to know this, trust me.

Yeah. Right. My local post office, years ago, didn't follow USPS policy on a number of (small, but noticeable) issues... they way they handled those particular issues led to a huge amount of annoyance for me and my family... I reported these procedural discrepancies to the regional USPS customer service department...

...three days later I got an ANGRY call from the head supervisor of my local branch, stating that they will do things any way they want to, and I was in no position to complain about it.

A few years ago, the local post office changed locations, and, from what I can tell, about 90% of the employees were replaced. Perhaps my complaints were not the only ones, and not the most severe...

I preface this by saying I have never personally owned a dog, but while living with those same in-laws, I was at times responsible for up to four dogs at a time, so I learned pretty well how to handle them when they were being stupid. This served me VERY well when later delivering car parts to rural shops that had dogs; I learned how to read their body language/barks and never really had any problems with them. Personal opinion, it would be a good idea for delivery drivers to get more experienced with dogs, because then they wouldn't have as many problems when making deliveries, even with 'new' dogs. Just my .02...

ladyfortuna:I live in a small town; not the sticks, but close enough. I have however built a good relationship with the counter clerks at the PO as well.

Hah! Building up a relationship with our local counter clerks would take more time than we have.

The other day, a letter we sent at the post office was delivery back to us (it had sufficient postage, they just sent it to the return address, not the recipient address.) My wife went to take it back to the Post Office (they did half-heartedly accept the mistake, without apologizing or offering to do anything except cross out the barcodes printed on it and shove it back into the gaping maw of the USPS system.)

Thing is, they have six desks, and we have never seen more than two open except on tax day. This was just a regular day, and she had to wait half an HOUR just to give them back a letter we'd already paid to have delivered, for another try.

So yeah, building a relationship? Well, that's going to take a lot of queuing. ;-)

DHL? Well, they were pretty good. Apart from that time they randomly delivered a priority, insured international package containing my passport and a bunch of very important forms to the wrong address (and not even a vaguely similar address--the town was right, but that was it. They did go and get it back, 24 hours later, then redeliver it correctly though. But still!)

I preface this by saying I have never personally owned a dog, but while living with those same in-laws, I was at times responsible for up to four dogs at a time, so I learned pretty well how to handle them when they were being stupid. This served me VERY well when later delivering car parts to rural shops that had dogs; I learned how to read their body language/barks and never really had any problems with them. Personal opinion, it would be a good idea for delivery drivers to get more experienced with dogs, because then they wouldn't have as many problems when making deliveries, even with 'new' dogs. Just my .02...

my opinion? dress in a uniform and walk up and try to pet a strange dog.... get bit once and you might change your mind

DiRF:ladyfortuna: If you carrier is an ass, REPORT HIM. They want to know this, trust me.

Yeah. Right. My local post office, years ago, didn't follow USPS policy on a number of (small, but noticeable) issues... they way they handled those particular issues led to a huge amount of annoyance for me and my family... I reported these procedural discrepancies to the regional USPS customer service department...

...three days later I got an ANGRY call from the head supervisor of my local branch, stating that they will do things any way they want to, and I was in no position to complain about it.

A few years ago, the local post office changed locations, and, from what I can tell, about 90% of the employees were replaced. Perhaps my complaints were not the only ones, and not the most severe...

Sounds like, while it was slow, the system worked. Much as I advocate for the USPS, they work for US (and easily make 3-4x a year what I make, so I'm not saying this to be mean OR nice). Go over the head of the regional peeps if necessary. The good employees will stay on and fix things.

gweilo8888:Subby: "Using a flat rate box from the USPS would have been cheaper, and might have actually made it to its destination, but sopping wet, reeking of cigarette smoke, and folded over on itself seven times so it could be jammed into the mailbox to avoid a 15 second trip up the driveway"

Missed a bit, Subby. Damned character limit must've gotten you.

/or is this just my local mail carrier muppet//no kidding, on the rare item that doesn't fit in my mailbox if folded or snapped, I've actually seen them drive up the driveway, and then *throw* it at my carport rather than get out of their car and walk ten steps to my door///yes, UPS, FedEx, and DHL cock up occasionally, but they're seldom malicious////Airborne Express is the worst. Had a problem with them regularly leaving packages or preprepared "sorry we missed you" notes outside the door without knocking or ringing the bell; caught it once when it happened (I was within four feet of the door; the blinds were closed so he couldn't see me) and I called to let the supervisor know (with the vehicle reg and time he arrived as proof I'd been at home). The driver came straight back, rang the doorbell, and told me he was going to intentionally break every package that was delivered to my address from then on. You can be damned sure the supervisor heard that, too. Never used them since, never will again.

It definitely depends on the location and the local carriers... At my previous home, UPS was horribly unreliable, would regularly misdeliver packages to the wrong address, claim to have attempted delivery even when they didn't bother showing up to even leave a notice, and leave packages that were not merely damaged but utterly destroyed... But, USPS there was always very reliable and I never had any problems... But, now at my current home, the situation is completely reversed: USPS regularly misdelivers my mail and leaves mail for other addresses in my box, while UPS has been just perfect...

pinktaco4lunch:ParagonComplex: I worked at FedEx for a few years. I'd hear horror stories from people who worked at UPS. They treat their packages terribly. If this kid got shipped he would've arrived decomposing.

Ok, I'll bite..

First off... don't ship packages in recycled cardboard..that stuff is frail as shiat...and don't use old boxes..every time a box is shipped, it loses 50% of its crush weight..which is that # in that little circle on the bottom of every cardboard box. The best way to ship something is to double box it..with packing around the inner box. The employees at hubs are not the best at protecting your stuff... but the people at the local level do a good job. 90% of damages I see are from crappy packing...the rest are mostly 70LB+ packages...your best best is to use a new box and pack carefully.

Second... Your UPS driver doesn't want to go back to your house a second day..he wants to deliver that shiat so he doesn't have it the next day..that just adds another package for them the next day..don't call and tell me he didn't ring your doorbell when you have a dog in the yard, or you didn't hear the horn, or your AC/TV was up too loud

and last..the USPS HATES delivering anything over 20lbs..so don't expect them to go out of their way to deliver your shiat..they don't carry dolleys

I'll bite back. I can only speak for the Nashville Hub which is one of the largest. With that being said the package handlers there are not only terrible, but they have no regard for the contents of the package. At FedEx I was taught to treat every package like it was your own or someone you knew. The horror stories I heard were from the package handlers tossing and slinging boxes with no regard for the contents. Sure, better packaging would help, but that really doesn't make a damn if they are treated properly to begin with. In UPS's defense they did have a lot more volume to content with, but it wasn't too much for a properly trained package handler to deal with. Everyone gets frustrated, but you don't take it out on the paying customers. I'd never choose to have something sent UPS based on the horror stories of the Nashville Hub, but at the same time I've never received a damaged product from them that was sent via Amazon. Maybe things have changed. I certainly hope so. Also, frak FedEx as well. They may treat their packages better, but they sure as hell didn't treat their employees better. You're also right about the employees at the hubs not being the best at protecting the packages, but the opposite was true for the FedEx Ground Nashville Hub. They should be the best at protecting packages.

I preface this by saying I have never personally owned a dog, but while living with those same in-laws, I was at times responsible for up to four dogs at a time, so I learned pretty well how to handle them when they were being stupid. This served me VERY well when later delivering car parts to rural shops that had dogs; I learned how to read their body language/barks and never really had any problems with them. Personal opinion, it would be a good idea for delivery drivers to get more experienced with dogs, because then they wouldn't have as many problems when making deliveries, even with 'new' dogs. Just my .02...

my opinion? dress in a uniform and walk up and try to pet a strange dog.... get bit once and you might change your mind

I wore a uniform for delivering. Not much of one; polo shirt and black pants/shorts, but still a uniform. I'm sure there are dogs out there that can't be reasoned with, but a proper approach will work with most...

ladyfortuna:I'm sure there are dogs out there that can't be reasoned with, but a proper approach will work with most...

There are no dogs that can be reasoned with. It's all instinct, dominance, and aggression. Properly controlled, you will have no issues. If you freak out, the dog will know and will not understand why. Results at that point will vary.